Family meal time board game

ABSTRACT

A board game for a plurality of players to play while eating a healthy, well-balanced meal. The game includes a plurality of game boards and a plurality of game pieces such that each of the players has his/her own game board and game piece. Each of the plurality of game boards has a playing surface formed thereon and a portion for placing the player&#39;s plate. The playing surface has a plurality of color coded spaces forming a travel path between a start line and a finish line. Each of the plurality of color coded spaces corresponds to a different main food group, such as a protein, a fruit/vegetable, and/or a starch. The game also includes a spinner having a pointer attached to a flat surface divided into at least two defined areas corresponding to a number. A method of playing the game is also disclosed.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/084,751, filed on Jul. 30, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a board game, and more particularly, to a board game for teaching and encouraging young children to eat healthier and more balanced meals while providing entertainment with family and friends during meal time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that children enjoy playing games, including board games. Indeed, there are numerous board games designed for recreational, entertainment and educational purposes for young children. However, there are very few board games directed to teaching and promoting young children to eat healthy well-balanced meals. The benefits of well-balanced healthy meals directed to the main food groups for young children are well known. Moreover, it is typically easier to instill good eating habits at an early age rather than later in life. It is also common knowledge that young children are often reluctant to eat their meals for a variety of reasons. For example, young children may become easily bored with the ordinary process of eating meals. In addition, young children do not like to eat certain foods (usually healthy or nutritious foods) that they are unfamiliar, not aesthetically pleasing or not particularly tasteful.

Accordingly, there is a need for a board game directed towards young children that teaches and promotes eating healthy well-balanced meals. The present invention is designed to instill balanced eating habits directed to healthier foods in young children that are intended to stay with the children throughout their lives. It is another object of the present invention to provide entertainment to the children while they are eating, so they look forward to meal times with family and friends. It is still another object of this invention to encourage families and friends to eat meals together in an enjoyable and interactive environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned and other problems become solved by applying the principles and teachings associated with the hereinafter described family meal time board game.

In a basic sense, a board game for a plurality of players to play while eating a healthy well-balanced meal is provided. The game is designed to instill balanced eating habits directed to healthier foods in young children that should stay with the children throughout their lives. In addition, the game encourages families and friends to eat meals together in an entertaining, enjoyable and interactive environment. As a result, young children look forward to meal times with family and friends and eat a healthy well-balanced meal.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, the game includes a plurality of game boards, which correspond equally to the plurality of players playing the game. Each of the plurality of game boards has a playing surface formed thereon. The game also includes a spinner having a pointer or arrow attached to a flat surface. The spinner typically has at least two defined areas, which indicate a different consecutive number (i.e., 1, 2, 3). Furthermore, the game includes a plurality of game pieces corresponding equally to the plurality of players playing the game for moving along the playing surface.

Advantageously, each of the plurality of game boards acts as both the playing surface and a place mat for the player's plate. Specifically, each of the plurality of game boards has a portion designated for placing the player's plate. With respect to the playing surface, it includes a plurality of color coded spaces forming an arc-shaped travel path between a start line and a finish line. The plurality of color coded spaces include at least two different colors, which correspond to at least two different main food groups. For example, the food groups may be selected from the following groups: fruits/vegetables; proteins; and/or starches. As a result, the color coded travel path works in conjunction with the foods on the player's plate to ensure each player eats a healthy well-balanced meal. Each of the plurality of game boards may have a clear cover or may be laminated to prevent food and drink spills from damaging the game board.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of playing the board game is provided. The method of playing the game includes providing: (1) a plurality of game boards having a playing surface formed thereon corresponding equally to the plurality of players playing the board game; (2) a plurality of game pieces corresponding equally to the plurality of players playing the board game; and (3) providing a spinner having a pointer or arrow and at least two defined areas corresponding to at least two different numbers.

The method also includes spinning the spinner by one of the plurality of players. Subsequently, the method includes advancing one of the plurality of game pieces corresponding to the one of the plurality of players who spun the spinner along the playing surface. Further, the method includes requiring each of the plurality of players to eat one of the at least two food items represented by the space upon which the player moves his/her game piece based upon where the spinner lands. In one embodiment, the method may also include repeating the spinning, advancing and requiring steps until one of the plurality of players reaches the finish line with the player's game piece. Additionally, the method may include requiring the plurality of players to alternate taking turns spinning the spinner.

Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a representative view in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention of a game board;

FIG. 2 is a representative view in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention of a game piece;

FIG. 3 is a representative view in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention of a spinner; and

FIG. 4 is a representative view in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention of a plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and like numerals represent like details in the various figures. Also, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process or other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. In accordance with the present invention, a board game for playing as a family during meal time is hereinafter described.

As shown in FIG. 1, a game board 10 according to one embodiment is illustrated. The game board 10 is intended to be used in playing the board game with young children to encourage them to eat an entire healthy well-balanced meal. Preferably, the game is played by at least two players, including at least one child. Each player is provided with a game board 10 upon which the player places his/her individual plate 20 (as illustrated in FIG. 4). Since each player has his/her own game board 10 for playing the game, the game is not limited to a certain number of players. Rather, the game is only limited by the amount of food to be eaten and the space necessary to accommodate the players. It should be appreciated that parents and other adults or caretakers may play the game along with the young children. Alternatively, the parent or adult may simply supervise a group of young children playing the game.

Turning back to FIG. 1, the game board 10 is preferably rectangular and approximately eleven by seventeen inches (11″×17″). The game board 10 may include a variety of artwork illustrating nutritious foods and healthful activities to educate the young children playing the game on healthy foods and good habits while keeping the young children focused on playing the came and eating their meals. For example, the game board illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a number of illustrations of fruits and vegetables (i.e., apples, grapes, carrots and corn) in an effort to educate the children playing the game about healthy foods and activities and to maintain their attention while the game is being played. The game board 10 may have a clear cover, such as being laminated to prevent food and drink spills from damaging the game boards. Accordingly, the game board 10 possesses greater durability and is easier to clean once the game is completed.

Advantageously, the game board 10 is flat and acts as both a place mat for the player's plate 20 and a playing surface for each player to play the game. Specifically, at least a portion of the player's plate 20 is placed on a designated portion 30 located near the bottom of the game board 10. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the designated portion 30 is a colored semi-circle, which is easily identifiable by the player as the location for his/her plate 20. Although FIG. 1 shows the designated portion 30 of the game board 10 as a semi-circle, which may be used as a place mat for circular-shaped plates 20, it should be appreciated that different shaped plates may be used with the game board and the designated portion may also be other shapes.

As shown in FIG. 4, prior to the commencement of playing the game, each of the players should fill his/her plate 20 with appropriate servings of at least two food items representing two different major food groups. Preferably, the portions should be selected from the following three different major food groups: (1) a fruit or vegetable group 80; (2) a protein group 90, such as meat, fish or tofu; and (3) a starch group 100, such as rice, pasta or potato. Of course, it should be appreciated that the game is not limited to these foods or particular food groups. For example, a salad could easily be substituted for the fruit or vegetable group 80 or a grain or bread may be substituted for the starch group 100.

In addition, it should be appreciated that a glass of milk may be served with the meal so that another of the main food groups (i.e., the dairy group) is represented during the playing of the game. Alternatively, a glass of water may be served with the meal to encourage and educate the children of the value of being well-hydrated. Again, the particular type of beverage served with the meal during the playing of the game is not essential to the game and other beverages may be substituted. Nevertheless, the purpose of the game is to encourage and educate young children about eating healthy well-balanced meals, so while the particular type of foods and beverages used while playing the game is not essential, the foods and beverages used should preferably be nutritious and healthy for the children.

Turning to FIG. 2, each player is provided with his/her own game piece or pawn 40 for placement on the game board 10. The game piece 40 is designed for being moved by the player around a travel path on the game board 10. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the game piece is round like a coin, relatively flat, approximately 1.5 inches (1.5″) in diameter and printed with an indicia 210 (i.e., THE FOOD GAME™). Of course, it should be appreciated that the game piece 40 may come in different shapes (i.e., square or triangle) and sizes (i.e., it does not have to be relatively flat). Further, the game piece 40 is not required to have an indicia 210 printed thereon. Each game piece 40 may be in a different color than the other game pieces to distinguish each player's game piece. However, this is not required because the individual game pieces 40 will not be used on the same game board, but will be used solely on the each particular player's game board 10.

With reference to FIG. 3, a spinner or spin wheel 60 is also provided with the game and is shared by all the players. In one embodiment, the spinner 60 is a flat surface representing a circle 70 divided into at least two defined areas with corresponding numbers. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates six pie-shaped sections 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 with: the number one (1) printed on the first and fourth sections 140, 170; the number two (2) printed on the second and fifth sections 150, 180; and the number three (3) printed on the third and sixth sections 160 and 190. Further, the spinner 60 includes a first end defined by a pointer or arrow 110, which lands or points to one of the at least two defined areas with corresponding numbers. The spinner 60 also includes a second end 200 opposite the first end 110. An instruction booklet may accompany the board game, which would include instructions for playing the game, provide healthy meal suggestions, recipes and tips for a healthy lifestyle.

The playing surface of the game board 10 includes a plurality of spaces 120 forming the travel path located between a start line 50 and a finish line 130. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a game board 10 with fifteen spaces 120 between the start line 50 and the finish line 130, it should be appreciated that a board with a different number of spaces may be used. Preferably, the number of spaces on the game board 10 should correspond to the approximate number of bites a player needs to finish his/her meal. The spaces 120 may set in an arc-like shape, which surrounds the top half of each player's plate 20 (as shown in FIG. 1). Alternatively, the spaces 120 may be arranged in a different shape, such as a straight line or triangular or rectangular shape.

The spaces 120 are preferably color coded to reflect the three different food groups 80, 90 and 100 represented on each player's plate 20. For example, the first space 120 (after the start line 50) may be green to represent the fruit or vegetable group 80, the second space 120 may be tan or yellow to represent the starch group 100 (i.e., rice, pasta or grain) and the third space 120 may be brown to represent the protein group 90. Again, it should be appreciated that the spaces may be different colors as long as there are at least two different colors, which correspond to the at least two different foods being eaten at the particular meal.

In addition, the spaces may be arranged in a particular pattern (i.e., green, tan, brown, green, tan, brown. etc.) or in a random pattern (green, tan, tan, brown, green, brown, etc.). In one embodiment, there may be a substantially equal number of each colored space to ensure that the players eat approximately the same amount of each particular food on his/her plate. In another embodiment, there may be a slightly different number of each colored space (i.e., a larger number of green spaces) to put all emphasis on eating more fruits or vegetables, which are typically higher in vitamins and lower in fat than the other food groups.

At the start of the game, each player's game piece 40 is positioned at the start line 50 on his/her own game board 10. Subsequently, the first player flicks or spins the spinner 60 and moves his/her game piece 40 the number of spaces that the pointer or arrow 110 lands (i.e., 1, 2 or 3 spaces). Then, each player playing the game takes a bite of the type of food that corresponds to the colored space that the first player's game piece 40 is located as a result of the spin. For example, if the first player spins a three, he/she moves his/her game piece 40 three spaces to the brown space. Each player would then take a bite of the protein (i.e, grilled chicken as shown in FIG. 4) on his/her plate 20, which corresponds to the brown space.

Alternatively, if the player spins a one or two, he/she moves his/her game piece 40 one or two spaces to the corresponding green or tan space. As a result, each player would then take a bite of the vegetable (i.e., broccoli as shown in FIG. 4) or starch (i.e., rice as shown in FIG. 4) on his/her plate 20 corresponding to the green or tan space, respectively. Importantly, each player moves his/her game piece 40 only after they have spun the spinner 60. However, every player takes a bite of whatever food is determined by each player's spin. Advantageously, this ensures that all the players should be eating their meals in a timely manner during the course of the game.

After the first player's turn is complete, the second player spins the spinner 60 and moves his/her game piece 40 accordingly. Again, each player takes a bite of whatever food is determined by the second player's turn. This process of players taken alternating turns spinning the spinner 60 and correspondingly moving their game pieces 40 continues until a player reaches the finish line 130 with his/her game piece 40 or has cleaned his/her plate of food. This player should be declared the winner of the game. It is desired that each player should finish or substantially finish their meals when the “winning” player reaches the finish line 130.

The object of the game is to be the first player to move his/her game piece 40 from the start line 50 to the finish line 130 on his/her game board 10. In doing so, each player's plate will be cleaned or close enough to ensure that all of the players ate a well-balanced healthy meal. A reward that may be chosen by the players or the parents may be presented to the winning player. For example, the instructions of the game recommend allowing the winning player to receive his/her dessert first.

Advantageously, the game allows the entire family to spend enjoyable time together interacting and communicating while they eat dinner and play the game. The game is designed to encourage children to look forward to spending family time together eating dinner. Moreover, each person participating in the game, especially the young children, will eat a healthy well-balanced meal. Finally, the game should instill healthy and balanced eating habits in the children at an early age.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. 

1. A board game for a plurality of players to play while eating a healthy well-balanced meal comprising: a plurality of game boards corresponding equally to the plurality of players playing the game, each of said plurality of game boards having a playing surface formed thereon; a spinner having a pointer attached to a flat surface; a plurality of game pieces corresponding equally to the plurality of players playing the game for moving along the playing surface.
 2. The board game according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of game boards has a plurality of color coded spaces forming an arc-shaped travel path on the playing surface.
 3. The board game according to claim 2, wherein the travel path extends between a start line and a finish line.
 4. The board game according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of color coded spaces include at least two different colors.
 5. The board game according to claim 4, wherein the at least two different colors correspond to at least two different main food groups.
 6. The board game according to claim 5, wherein the at least two different main food groups include a protein, a fruit or vegetable, and/or a starch.
 7. The board game according to claim 1, wherein the spinner has at least two defined areas, said at least two defined areas each indicating a different number.
 8. The board game according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of game boards has a portion designated for placing one of the plurality of players' plate.
 9. The board game according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of game boards includes a clear cover for protection from food and drink.
 10. A board game for a plurality of players to play while eating a healthy, well-balanced meal, comprising: a plurality of game pieces corresponding equally to the plurality of players playing the game; a plurality of game boards corresponding equally to the plurality of players playing the game, each of said plurality of game boards having a first portion defining a playing surface and a second portion for placing one of the plurality of players' plate, said playing surface includes a plurality of color coded spaces forming a travel path between a start line and a finish line; and a spinner having a pointer attached to a flat surface divided into a plurality of pie-shaped sections, each of said plurality of pie-shaped sections corresponds to a number.
 11. The board game according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of color coded spaces include at least three spaces of a first color, at least three spaces of a second color, and at least three spaces of a third color.
 12. The board game according to claim 11, wherein the first color corresponds to a first food group, the second color corresponds to a second food group and the third color corresponds to a third color.
 13. The board game according to claim 10, wherein the first food group is a fruit or vegetable, the second food group is a protein, and the third food group is a starch.
 14. A method of playing a board game for a plurality of players to play while eating healthy, well-balanced meals, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of game boards having a playing surface formed thereon corresponding equally to the plurality of players playing the board game; providing a plurality of game pieces corresponding equally to the plurality of players playing the board game; providing a spinner having a pointer and at least two defined areas corresponding to at least two different numbers; filling each of the plurality of players' plate with servings of at least two food items corresponding to at least two different food groups; spinning the spinner by one of the plurality of players; advancing one of the plurality of game pieces corresponding to the one of the plurality of players who spun the spinner along the playing surface; and requiring each of the plurality of players to eat one of the at least two food items.
 15. The method of claim 14, further including the step of requiring the plurality of players to alternate taking turns spinning the spinner.
 16. The method of claim 14, further including placing each of the plurality of players' plate on a corresponding one of the plurality of game boards.
 17. The method of claim 14, further including providing a plurality of color coded spaces on the playing surface between a start line and a finish line such that the plurality of color coded spaces form a travel path.
 18. The method of claim 17, further including identifying each of the plurality of color coded spaces with a corresponding one of a plurality of different food groups.
 19. The method of claim 19, wherein the requiring step includes eating the one of the at least two food items from the corresponding one of the plurality of different food groups corresponding to the plurality of color coded spaces said player's game piece is advanced.
 20. The method of claim 17, further including repeating the spinning, advancing and requiring steps until one of the plurality of players reaches the finish line with said player's game piece. 